How to Apply for NJ State Financial Aid
In May 2018, NJ became the 10th state to expand access to state financial aid to Dreamers and undocumented students who meet certain criteria. To be eligible, you must:
- have attended a high school in New Jersey for three or more years; AND
- graduate from a New Jersey high school, or attain the equivalent of a high school diploma in New Jersey; AND
- register as an entering student or be currently enrolled in a New Jersey public or
independent institution of higher education; AND - NOT be a U.S. citizen, green card holder or eligible noncitizen (i.e. you can be undocumented or a DACA recipient to apply); AND
- register with Selective Service (if male); AND
- file an affidavit with your college stating you will file an application to legalize your immigration status as soon as you are eligible to do so.
If you meet these requirements, you can apply for tuition assistance grants (TAG) with the NJ Alternative Application. You may also be eligible for the other types of state-administered aid on this page–check out the FAQs to see what's required for each program.
NJ State Aid and Scholarships
Click the links to learn more about each program!
Tuition Aid Grant
(NJ TAG Program)
Tuition Aid Grant
This program is open to all undergraduate students who have lived in NJ for at least 12 months, demonstrate financial need, and are enrolled full-time in an approved degree program. (There is also a part-time option for community and county colleges.) To apply, you'll need to fill out the NJ Alternative Application. Grant amounts vary based on your tuition costs, your financial need, and state resources. As long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements and make good academic progress, you can renew each year.
Educational Opportunity Fund
(EOF Program)
Educational Opportunity Fund
The EOF provides NJ students with grants of between $200 and $2500 annually. Unlike TAG, this program is administered directly through participating NJ institutions–not through the state itself. If you've been accepted at one of these schools and demonstrate an economically and educationally disadvantaged background, you will need to file the NJ Alternative Application and then contact the EOF director of your institution to determine if you meet your particular school's criteria for EOF support. If you remain eligible, you will be able to reapply for EOF support each year through your college or university.
Governor's Urban Scholarship
For students in eligible urban areas of NJ
Governor's Urban Scholarship
The Governor's Urban Scholarship supports high-achieving students from certain NJ cities who enroll full-time in an approved NJ institution. Students from these cities who are in the top 5% of their graduating classes, have GPAs over 3.0, and complete the NJ Alternative Application are automatically nominated and notified by the state of their awards. Students can then choose to accept or decline the award.
NJ STARS I & II
For students attending county colleges
NJ STARS I & 2
NJ STARS I covers your tuition if you were in the top 15% of your junior or senior class in high school and opt to enroll in your home county or community college. You can receive up to 5 semesters' support if you remain eligible.
NJ STARS II provides up to $1250 per semester for NJ STARS students transferring from their home county colleges to NJ institutions that participate in the TAG program. Students must complete their 2-year degree with at least a 3.25 GPA and enroll full time in an eligible institution, and their family income must be less than $250,000 per year.
NJ GIVS
For women and minority students attending county, technical, and vocational schools
NJ GIVS
NJ GIVS offers up to $2,000 or the cost of tuition at eligible degree and certificate programs in New Jersey county colleges and technical/vocational schools. To be eligible, students must be able to file the NJ Alternative Application and be women or minorities (Black, Hispanic, Asian American including Pacific Islander and Hawaiian, American Indian and Alaskan Native), have household incomes less than $60,000 per year, and enroll at a participating institution.
National Scholarships
Merit-based scholarships open to DREAMers and undocumented students
Merit scholarships open to DACA students and undocumented students
There are many merit-based scholarships open to incoming college students, regardless of their immigration status. Check this list to see which opportunities might be good fits for you.